……..As Erin-Osun honours two golden sons
By; Daud Adebayo
Renowned Professor and Cleric, Prof. Abdul Ganiy Abdul Salaam Oladosu, has emphasised the need to prioritise education and certification over recreation for the youthful generation to make a positive difference.
In a speech titled: “Education Makes the Difference”, delivered at a reception held in his honour in Erin-Osun, his home town, Prof. Oladosu stated that very few people make a successful life out of being professionals in recreation, compared to those whose path as professionals is defined by education.
According to him, “For those who will even make a living out of recreation, they need to follow the path of education, as there is a world of difference between someone who enrols in a football academy and one who plays football on the streets.”
Speaking further, he said that “… whatever our children do today, they have to be educated and certificated. Another point which I must mention as a cleric, is that, only a few aspects of professional recreation and entertainment can be presented as legitimate sources of income in the hereafter, if there is any, at all.”
Prof. Oladosu continued that the success of his generation could be consolidated if there is a system that replicates and improves on their modest achievements, adding that Erin-Osun community should not be that of gamblers and lost youth population.
Analysing the system to put in place, the Pioneer Director of Centre for Ilorin Studies at the University of Ilorin who was also a Director of Academic Planning during his years at the University stated that there is a need to develop short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals for Erin-Osun, which would include biennial education and skill acquisition summits, as well as scholarship programmes.
“We need to develop short-term, mid-term and long-term goals for Ẹrin-Ọṣun. We could have biennial education and skill acquisition summits funded by the contributions of our selfless, altruistic and affluent brothers and sisters from across the world.
“We could give scholarships awards to outstanding and indigent students so that secondary school and diploma certificates becomes the lowest educational qualification any of our children will have in a few years to come”, he stated.
Speaking on other requisites for a greater Erin-Osun, the renowned Islamic cleric said, “a city is only as great as the quality of its inhabitants and indigenes”, while calling for replication of the likes of the Chairman of Sidmach Technologies, Engineer Hassan Alao, who has excelled in the area of software engineering and design.
Prof. Oladosu charged Erin-Osun Progressive Union to create a database of all sons and daughters of the town, and know their professions towards making their beloved town a technology hub.
“We have sons and daughters who had worked at places like the IBM, Facebook and Google at the highest technical level. We need to identify them and bring them home to create the new Ẹrin-Ọṣun”, he stated.
Earlier at the event were moments of encomium galore at the grand reception ceremony organised by Erin-Osun Progressive Union at the Erin-Osun town hall, in a bid to celebrate the acclaimed scholar who retired earlier in February.
He was one of two illustrious sons of the ancient town celebrated, the other being Special Adviser to the incumbent Governor of Osun State on Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Rufus Adeyemi Oyegbile.
Appreciating the organisers, the Professor of Arabic Education and Education Measurements thanked and prayed for His Royal Highness: the Ẹlẹrin of Ẹrin-Ọṣun, Oba Yusuf Omoloye Oyagbodun, all the Chiefs, the Elders, the sons and daughters of Ẹrin-Ọṣun and well-wishers, adding that there is no place like home.
Meanwhile, in his welcome address, the President of the Erin-Osun Progressive Union, Alh. Hassan Alao said the occasion was a celebration of two great personalities, adding that the honour was not just for what they have done, but what the town wants them to do.
Speaking about Prof. Oladosu, Engineer Hassan, who is also the Aare Musulumi of Erin-Osun said that the reception ceremony was their way of telling the Professor that they await his return to Erin-Osun, as he is only retired not tired. Alh. Hassan, the Asiwaju of Erin-Osun also expressed the pride of the town in the fact that an indigene of Erin-Osun, Engineer Rufus Oyegbile is part of the executive council of the incumbent Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola.
“We are proud that today, we have a son of the soil in the cabinet of the current Governor of Osun State”, he said.
In appreciation of the honoured bestowed on her husband, Mrs Oladosu remarked that it was a pleasant and highly commendable reception, while praying that Almighty Allah pleasantly surprise those behind the initiative, and those who endorsed it.
The event also featured the conferment of awards on the two guests of honour, Prof. Oladosu, and Engr. Oyegbile, as well as presentation of special recognition awards to Hon. Ibrahim Olawale Dauda, Mr. Benjamin Yinka Aderinola, and Dr (Mrs.) Dupe Akande for their meritorious service to Erin-Osun.
Ends
